Conveyer.



U. D. SHEBBRGER.

GONVEYBR. APPLIGMION ULEB MAR. 1o, 1906. RENBWBD MAB. 1,043,542.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

l ww w f l/ 1 QQ KW y Y wlmfssfs.-

Ce D. SEEBERGER.

CONVEYER. AYPLIUATION FILED MAR 10, 1906. RENEWED MAR. www@ C. D.SEEBBRGER.

GONVBYER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10. 1900. RBNEWED MAR. 16, 1010.

, Patented Nov. 5, '1912.

` 4 SHEETS- SHEET s.

UNTED STATES PATENT OFFICE. y

CHARLES D. SEETBERGER, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T .OTIS ELEVATORCOMPANY, A CORPRATION 0F NEV JERSEY.

CONVEYER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

Application iled March 10, 1906,* Serial No. 305,206. Renewed March 16,1910. Serial No. 549,738.

To all whom it may concern: y

Be it known that I, CHARLES D. Sannita our, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Yonkers, in the count-y of Westchester and State ofNew York, have 4invented certain new and useful IniprovcinentsinConlveyers, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the acconipanying drawings.

y This invention has reference to conveyers, and particularly to thattype of conveyers in which a traveling footway, preferably in the forniof a series of connected steps, extends between different levels fortransporting freight or passengers therebetween.

The invention has for its objects generally toprovide certain novel anduseful improveincnts in this class of machines, and it consists in theorganizations and arrangements of parts hereinafter particularlydescribed and then pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings-Figures l and 2 together showdiagrainmatically and partially in elevation the general arrangeineiitof a traveling ootway embodying myinvention, Fig. l illustrating thelower end of the machine and Fig. 2 terniediate portion of the inclinebeing broken out for convenience of illustration. Fig. 3 is a transversesectional view on' the line 3--3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 isa similar view onthe line ll-t ot' Fig. 2, showing the rear -*wheel of one step seatingupon the -iront wheel of the following step; Fig. 5 .is a plan viewshowing' the terminals ofthe tracks for the rear wheels at the upperlanding; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic side' view vshowin the location of thedrive and associate' uptlirust, and also an intermediate idler whichiiiay-be employedgF ig. 7 is a view in side elevation, and von anenlarged scale, showing `the upthrust and steplinkage cooperatingtherewith; Fig. 8 is a central transverse sectional view throughtheJipthi-ust; Fig. 9 it a detail plan viewof the take-up idlereinployedwith the upthrust; Fig. 10 -is a detail view/in side, elevationof the intermediate idler sligwn in Fig. 6'; Fig. l1 is a plan view ofthefcnstruction shown in Fig. 10; Fig. l2 is a detail: .sectional viewof the idler, with its sliding bearing; Fig. 13 is a detail vview of thestep-linkage'; Fig. 14- is a sectional view on the line M-ltof Fig. 13

loo-king in the direction of the arrows; and

the upper, the in-` breaking into step-like formation and tiavagain runin a horicling along the incline, Zonta-l plane to form an upperlanding" 22. In the presentdisclcsure the machine is assumed totransport Ain an ascending direction, although it is obvious that itsdirection of movement may be reversed so as to transport in a descendingdirection. At the lower level a horizontal track 23 is located at eachside of the machine, and this track extends at an incline to the upperlevel where it again assumes a horizontal position. An upper track 2lion each side, originates above itsassociated lower track at a pointadjacent the `linner end of the lower landing 21, and gradually curvingaway from the lower track continues at a suitable elevation above andparallel with the lower track along the incline', terminating at theentrance of the upper landing 22 where it curves toward theV lowertrackLthe ends of the track 24t being at the same distance above thetrack 23. In the resent embodiment of the invention the trac rs overlapin the saine vertical plane, the upper track 24l track 23as shown inFigs. 3 and 4. These tracks, as there shown, may be formed from a singlecasting and connected 'by aweb or bracket 25 which may be suitablysecured to the supporting frame, or they may be separately carried on4the frame.

The lower tracks 23 receive `tie front wheels 26 of each step, assumingthe footway to ascend on its transport-ing run, while the rear wheels 2Tcooperate with the upper tracks 24. Beyond the upper landing the stepspass through a suitable farriage 2S which is provided with a curvedextension 29 of t-he track 23 and which with a track 30 provides achannel for the front wheels ot' the steps. A similar channel,consisting of a. curved track 3l and aguard track 32, is provided forthe wheels 2T. The trackage for the return run of the 'footway consistsof overlapping tracks 33 and 34, the arrangement ci the tracks beingreversed so that the extending outside ofthe side' a curved track 36tracks 83"'for the rear wheels are below the tracks 34 for the frontWheels to corres ond with the reversal of the steps; the trac s 33 arecontinuations of the tracks 31, and extend horizontally at 4their endsunder lthe upper and lower landings. i The lower end of the track 33 iscurved upwardly and terminates slightly beyond its horizontal portion. V

At the lower end of the machine the, steps pass through a carriagelhaving at each or the front wheel 26 and in extension of the track 23,the entrance to suchextension having a. curved guard track 37,-while acurved track 3S serves to carry the rear wheels 27 through the carriage.

From the foregoing it will be observed that at each landing only asingle track is employed at each side of the machine, while along theinclines the trackage consists of upper andlower tracks. The terminalsof each of the tracks 24 and 34 are reduced in width for a suitabledistance andare s0 spaced from the lower tracks 23 and 33 that the upperportions of the lower Wheels come flush with. the treads of theterminals, as shown in `Fig-4. It is obvious' that the terminals ot' thetracks at the entrance and exit of each u/arriage may be arranged inthesame manner. It is also obvious that the form of the tracks may bevaried :tor accomvplishing this result without departing front In thepresent embodiment of the invention each step is provided with an axlebar 39 on the ends of which are pivoted the front wheels 26 adapted tothe inner tracks 23 and 34. This axle bar is suitably secured to thestep-trame as by pins 40 and is located at the side opposite the riser.A yoke or arm `41 is suitably secured, as by means of a pin'42, to theaxle bai-inside of each wheel 26 and is spaced from the step-frame asuitable distance, as shown in Figs. 4`and 5, for the purpose to behereinafter pointed out. Each arm preferably extends beyond thestepriser and has pivoted at its tree end the outer wheel 2T, the armbeing deflected or bent outwardly so as to locate the rear wheel inposition to cooperate with its associated track. lach arin'4l isinclined upwardly with reference to the tread of the step, and the,

tracks on the int-,lines are so related that when 'the stepwheelsengagethe same the treads will he maintained in horizontal position. Thelength of each arm is such that the rear wheel 27 thereon is, at thelandings on the transporting run, located over the 'front wheel 26v ofthe followlng step, and on, the return rununder the wheel 26 othe"following step.

With the arrangement of tracks described the tro-nt wheels26 are inengagement'with the lower tracks 28 throughout the trans- Loeaiyeaporting run, and on the incline the |rear wh yls 2T travel on the tracks24.' At the lan linge, however, on the transporting run, the rear wheels27 of each step scat themselves upon. and are supported hy the frontwheels. ot the following step, as shown in Figs. l and 2. IThe structuredelineated in these figures being duplicated on the other side of themachine, it will be apparent that,l

each step passes to the lower landing 2l the front wheels 26 thereofcome flush with the treads of the tracks 38 so that the inneroverlapping edges of the rear wheels 27 ot the step in advance, as thelatter wheels leave the track 38, will seat u on the wheels 26. Thewheels 27 while t us supported turn freely so as to avoid triction, andthey preferably are made without flanges. Adjacent. the curve at thebottom of the incline, the rear wheels pass to the track 24, and therelation ot' the'tracks cause the footway to break into and continue insteplike formation to the upper end-of the incline. At the terminahofthe track 24 at the upper landing the rear wheels of each ste again seatupon the front wheels of the fo lowing step and are supported therebyas.

rangement is reversed, and the wheels 26 seatl upon the wheels 27 andare supported thereby until they enter the upper track 34 on the returnrun. At the bottom of the return run the wheels 26 again seat upon thewheels 2l' and are `supported thereby unt-il the steps enter the lowercarriage, by which the steps are presented to the transporting run withtheir treads uppermost. l

The steps are connected by suitable links 43 which are pivoted to theaxle bars bctween the attached ends\of the arms 41 and the step-tramesas shown in Fig. 5. Each link as shown in Figs. 13 and 14 is providedwith a bifurcated sleeve 44 at one end, and a collar 4,5 at thekopposite end, and a bushing 46 passes through the associated sleeve andcollar and is loosely mounted on the axle hai-'between the yoke and endot' the stepframe. ln assembling the parts the collar ofc-ne link isentered in the bifurcation of another link end the bushing is theninserted nfnd secured to the hifurcated ends or sleeve. W ith thisarrangement the collar is free to .turn on the bushing, and as the.bushing t'urnson the axle the other end of the link is capable ofpivotal movement. on the axle as the step passies the curves ortravels'-hrough the carriages at the ends of 'the machine. rlhe links areprovided with teeth, and in order to prevent interference between theend teeth of the links at the points where the direction of movement ischanged, the tooth at the biturcated end of" Ies permits the end teethto overlap without interference and at the same time preserves thecontinuity ot the teeth. As shown in Figs. 7 and 1t) the links areprovided with bosses -tb over the pivotal points thereof for a purposehereinafter described, In the present arrangement these bosses areformed on the bi'tureated ends of the links, although they may belocated on the collars l?.

The steps may be driven in any suitable manner. as by means of sprockets4t) tixed. to a suitably drivenV cross-shaft at) and engaging the racklinksof both runs, preferably near the upper end of the incline.sprockets it) may be iu the form of lantern wheels having anti-frictionrollers fil (inthe spindles 5,:2 thereof, as shown in Fig. 7.

The action ot' the driving sprockets tends to lift' the steps and alsoturn the links upon their pivots as they engage the. extreme teeththereon. To counteract this action, a suitable upthrust is provided.l'his upthrust is located at the side of the linkage opposite thesprocket engaging the associated line of linkage. ln-the presentinstance this upthrust consists of a'n endless chain 53, which iscarried by end idler sprockets 5llocated at opposite sides of the shaft5t), as shown in Fig. The idlers are fixed to shafts 55 suitablyjournaled in brackets 5t) supported by the frame work of the machine.The chain 53 is composed of alternate male and female shrouds 57 and 58,respectively. The male shrouds-T are channel shape in cross section, asshown in Fig. 8, and the female shrouds are provided with ears 59 whichoverlap the male shrou'ds and receive pivot pins t3() passing throughsuitably alined apertures in the male and female shrouds. rlhese pinsare provided with rollers G1. This construction provides a practicallycontinuous surface or face along the under stretch of the chain. Asshown in Figs. 7 and 8 the side walls of the male shrouds project beyondthe female shr'ouds so as to embrace a guide (32, which in the present.instance is located above the operative stretch of the cihain andparallel with the line of movement of the step linkage. This guide iscarried bybraekets (33 suitably secured to the frame work ofthermachine, and acts as a bearing surface' or abutment for the chainwhen the links engage its opposite face. In order to maintain the chain.under proper tension, a tightener sprocket 64 is mounted in a slidingblock (fprovided at its ends with ribs (3G engaging suitable guide ways(37 in the brackets G3. Expansion springs (i8 reactingbetween the trackand the block serve to press the tightener upwardly therebyautomatically taking up the slackin the chain. As the driveslinksconnecting the steps come under the action of' the driving pinion anytendencyof thestepsf'to rise or of the links to tilt or turn iscounter-acted b v the engagement ot' the. bosses llS with the upt'hrustchain, and as such chain is entirely supported by idlers, it provides atravelingl upthrust which is freely movable in the same direction as andunder the action of the drive-links. guide U2 provides a rigid abutmentto receive the thrust of the chain` and as the chain is 1no\al1le underthe action of the sprockets and the bottom of the incline,

very great, and in long machines it is highly objectionable owing to thegreat wear on the sprockets. I provide means for reducing` the load onAl i. drive sprockets, and to this end I intl 5e tid-leas 70 between thedrive sprockets and the bottom of the ineline. ABy this--arrange1nent,theweight of the steps on each' run between the point' where the idlersare located and the `bottom of the incline 1s carried by such idlers,

while only the weight from the idlers 70 to the drive .prockets isplaced on the latter Sprockets. 1n the present case show Lut a singleinstance of suchidlers, but it is obvious that these may be'duplicatedand located at suitable intervals so that a plurality of suchweight-dividing means may be employed. In the present embodiment, theseidlers are mounted on a cross-shaft 7l, and engage, the upper and lowerlines of links at the adjacent sides! The shaftj't'l is jonrnaled inbearing blocks 72 supported by longitudinal beams 73, which in turn aresupported by transverse beams '74. While these idlers may be of any.suitable character l have shown them in the presentinstance -as lanternwheels, the spindles thereof being' 'the providedwith antifrietionrollers 7 The bearing blocks are slidably mounted on guide plates 76bolted to the beams 73; and each guide plateA is p rovidedwth an ear 77having an aperture passingtherethrough, and a ro'd 7 8 passes throughthe aperture and is in` threaded engagement with the bea-ring block; Acoil spring 79 is interposed between the ear and the bearing block,

land such spring normally tends to move the bearing block toward thedrive sprockets 49, the movement in this direction being limited by astop nut S0 threaded upon the rod. The Springs 7 9, by pressing theidlers in a. direction opposed to the weight or hang of the stjairwa`hold the teeth thereof against the teeth o the links when then hangthereon,

. the springs act as s. counterbnlence for the-- and such springs areadjusted-'to e resist'- snce corresponding to the nor-melload, due

to the weight of the steps and connections supported thereby. y

vIt'. will be obvious from the foregoing that lood supported. thereby,endvthet when subjected to strains in excess of such load ywillyield,'thus taking Careof inequalities of ingnsion.` i

It will also be lobvious thet instead of'l springs any other suitablemeans may be employed as e counterbalence, as, for exemple, a. suspendedweight.v

In F ig. 15 e cross sectionjof aitrnvelinghand-rail 8i' is shownvwliichmay be ernployed with the stairway. vThis bend-rail ispreferebly-C-shape in cross-section and `82, the folds 83 between the plies beinglocated t tle cross-sectionell ends of the rail. in thepresent/'instance the edges 84 of the strip terminate adjacent the seinecross-sec# tional. end of the rail 'with the lfolds therest locatedbetween such edges. A seperate 4weer strip 85`covcrs the internal fecevof the rail and also the olds 83 end edges 84 to protect the seine fromweer. The canvas, o r

other fabric may be coated with, cemented together by, or embedded insuitable mete rial, such as rubber, es indicated by dotted lines in Fig.15, ns is usnel in this class ofl devices.

"Having 'described Ing/,invention what l. cleimyisl. In a device-of theclass described, e

wey, and a series of steps each having wheel-V carrying arms coperetingwith an adjacent step at a certain portion of the wcyJto ineintain tlietread of the step horizontal. l

2. In` a vdevice of the class described, e

l wey, ende series of wheeled-steps edepted theretothe wheels at oneside o each step coperating with en adjacent step to maini tain itstread horizontal.y

3A In 'a device of the clessdescribed, .e ,.wcy, and a series ofwheeled-steps trevelin' thereon, one wheel of each step being seated on"thel wheel of en adjacent step at n cer tain portion of the-way.

4. In edevice of the class. described, ey

wey,`nd Verseriesof ste shaving cnrrying wheels` one wheel of ezio istep being loosely scatedon a. wheel of an eid-jacent step et a certainportionof the wey.

5. Info. device of .the 'class described, a'

Wiy, and e series of steps adapted -to the;

wey/and having frontend rear carryingwheels, one pair of Wheels ofeachstep being seated on wheels of an edjecentstep et certain portionsofthe weyQ s a .6. In` n device of the class descr`b`ed, npper andlower-ways connected bylinclined weys,e series of steps adapted to theways end having iront sind resr carrying Wheels, the front wheels ofeach step supporting the rear wheels of en adjacent step on one ywey andthe rear wheels supporting the front wheels of en adjacent step on theother wey tolmnintein the treads of the steps horieon.- 'te 7. ln a.device of the class described, in-

clined tracks one of which is provided with s horizontal lendingportion, e, series of `steps having Wheels en aging both tracks weyconsisting of upper and lower inclined tracks, the lower tinck havinghorirontsi lending portions and the upper tracks ter mineting beyond cheends of the incline,

series of steps havin@ front and reer wheels, the letter engaging' thelower treclrs throughout the length thereof vend the former. sees d ingon the front wheels etthe lending por tions. i

l0. in n device of the class described, a ,wey consisting of lowerinclined tracks .hev- 'ing horizontal end portions end up er tracksparallel with the lower trsclrs et t e incline end terminating beyondthe ends of the inelaine, the upper track et erich side overlap-- pingthelower tinck, of 'steps having front upper tracks, respectivelthe'reer 'wheels' seating on the front Awhee s et the horizontalportions.

A11. in e device of thecless described, a. way consisting of upper endlower inclined tracks overleppin in the same vertical plenc andconnecting iderent levels, the lower tracks having horizontal landingportions and the u per trac-ks extending beyond the ends ostie inclineand beingreduced in width at the terminals, and e series of steps havingfront sind rear wheels adopted to the lower and upper' tracks,respectively, the rear Wheels of euch step being seated on the frontwheels of the following step et the levels and gradually passing to or.from such wheels 'at the reduced terminals of the upper tracks.

12, In a device of the class described, a wey consisting 0I" upper andlower inclined tracks overlapping in the same vertical pleno andconnecting di'lerent levels, the lower treclzsvheving horizontal landingportions' rind the upper tracks extending beyondthe iso4 105 and reiirwheelsndepted to the lower and` ends connected by carria lwidth-atthe-terminals, A each of' which'is provided with axle bars and beingreduced in and a series of steps `ends of the incline andrearwardly andupwardly inclined yoke- .-ar1ns, whe'els on the axle bars and the endsof the yoke 4arnis adapted to the lower and 4upper tracks, respectively,the rear wheels VYof each step-being seated on the front wheels of thefollowing step at the horizontal landing portions, and graduallypassing-from or to such wheels at the reduced terminals of thetracksassociated therewith.

1'3.In a -device of the class described, trackage vfor vthe upper andlower runs of a traveling stairway connecting different levels, stepshaving front and rear wheels adapted to the trackage, the front wheelsof each step at the levels of the upper run supporting the rear' wheelsot` the preceding step and the rear wheels supporting the front wheelsof the' succeeding step at the levels of the lower run:

le. In a device of the class described, trackage for the upper andilowerruns of a traveling stairway, the trackage for each run consisting ofupper andl'lower inclined tracks, the lower tracksl having horizontalges for changing the direction ot' movement of the stairway, stepshaving front and rear wheels adapted re spectively to the lower andupper tracks on the upper run, and to the upper and lower tracks `on thelower run, the frontwheels ot' each. step supporting the rear wheels ofan adjacent -step on the horizontal on the upper run and the rear wheelssupporting the fronty wheels of an adjacent step on the lower horizontalrun.

15. In a device of the class described, ar

series of steps having front and rear wheels,v

a way having inclined and horizontal portions providing'a. track foreach wheel at the incline and for the front wheels only at the landings,at which points the rear wheels ot each step are. seated on the frontwheels of an adjacent step'.

16. In a device of theF class described, a traveling stairway providingupper and lower runs and consisting ot' a series ot' connected stepshaving front and rear pairs oi wheels, yoke arms on which the rearwheels are pivoted, and tracks for the runs consistinglof a track forboth pairs ot' wheels on the incline and for one pair of wheels onlyofeach step at the landings, the other pair of wheels being supported bythe wheels ot' an adjacent ste ,A

17. In a device of the class described, a way having upper and lowerhorizontal portions and an intermediate inclined portion, upper andlower tracks on the inclined portion, a single track on each of thehorizon tal portions, and a series ot' sections moving on the tracks andbeing intel-supporting on the horizontal portions of the Way.

class described, a

way having upper and lower horizontal poi-- tions and. an intermediateinclined portion, upper and lower tracks on the inclined portion, asingle track on each of the horizontal portions, and a seriesot' stepsmoving on the tracks, each step supporting an adjacent step on thehorizontal portions ot' the way.

19. In a device of the class described, a way having upper and lowerhorizontal portions and an intermediate inclined portion, upper andlower tracks on the inclined portion, a single track on each of thehorizontal portions, a series of steps nioving on the tracks, and frontand rear wheels on each step running on the inclined tracks and one 4setthereof bearing on adjacent steps on the 22. In a device of the classdescribed, a

series of steps having front and rear wheels the latter being below theformer in a vertical plane, upper and lower tracks to which the upperand lower wheels, respectively, are adapted, the `lower tracks havinginclined portions which extend the ends, and the upper tracks beingspaced a greater distance from the lower tracks on the incline than thediameter of the wheels and being reduced in width at the endsandterniinating with the'tread surface thereof a distance tromthediameter of the Wheels, whereby as the rear wheels of each step leavethe upper tracks they seat upon the front wheels of the following step.

23. Ina device of the class described,l a way, a series of connectedsteps having front and rear wheels, yoke arms on which the rear Wheelsare pivoted and which are of such length as to locate the wheels thereofabove the lfront Wheels of the following step, and tracks havingterminals for seating the rear wheels of a step on the front wheels `ofthe adjacent step as the steps pass from the incline to the horizontal.

24. In a device of the class described, upper and lower ways connectedby end-carriages, a series of connected steps having horizontally at 105lower tracks equal to the i running on the tracks, the tracks beinguni-A way having inclined and horizontal portions providing upper andlower tracks, a series of steps having front and rear wheels formlyspaced apart in the incline and at a greater distance apart than thediameter of the wheels, Aand the upper tracks at the horizontal portionsapproaehingthe lower tracks and terminating in the plane of the upperportions vof the wheels on the lower track.

26. ln' a device of the class described,upper and lower ways connectedby end-carriages, a series of connected steps having front and rearwheels, upwardlyinclined yoke arms on which the rear wheels are piv!oted and which are of such length aste locate the rear wheelsof eachstep above or under the front Wheels of the following step as lthe stepsmove-in a horizontal direction on the upper Iand lowerways,-respectively, each way consistinv of upper and lower inclinedtracks, the front and rear Wheels on one way being adapted to the upperand lower tracks, respectively, and to the lower and upper tracks-on theother way, the lower tracks having horizontal ends and the upper tracksterminating beyond the ends of the inclines in position to lead the.wheels traveling thereon to or to. receive them from the wheels inengagement with the lower track f of each way.

Q7'. In a device of the class described, a series of steps each of whichis provided with an axle-bar having wheels fixed thereto, wheel-carryingyoke-arms on the axlebar and spaced from the ends of the steps, andlinkage connecting the axle-bars between the yokes and the ends of thesteps,

the links having the teeth thereof in line.

Q8. ln a device of the class described` a series of steps, each stephaving an axle bar and being provided with carrying wheels, andrack-links connecting the axle bars.

each link having a bifurcation at one end re` ceiving the adjacent endof another link to bring the teeth of the links in line.

29. ln a device ofthe class described, a series of steps, each having anaxle bar and .being provided with carrying wheels, and

i'aclclinls each of which is provided with a bifurcation at one endreceiving the opposite end of the adjacent link.

30.1ln'a device of the class described. va

step having an axle bar and carrying-wheels, a pair of links one ofwhich is provided with 4a bifurcated sleeve and the other with a collarentering the bifurcation to bring the teeth of the links in line,theaxle'bar passing through the said sleeve and collar.

31. In al device of the class described, a series of steps each havingan axle bar and carrying-wheels, rackdinks each of which is provided atone end with a bifurcated-sleeve and at-the other with a collar, abushing# loosely mounted on each axle and to which Leashes the collar ofa link is fixedthe bifurcatcd end of the adjacent link being pivoted onthe bushing and receiving the collar of the other link.

. `32. In a device of the class described, a series of steps providedwith axle bars and carrying-wheels, bushings on the axle bars, and linksconnecting the axlebars, one of such links having a collar pivoted onthe. associated bushing and the other va bifurcatedsleeve fixed on thebushing and receiving the collar, the sleeve havinga tooth disalinedfrom the other teeth whereb)v the continuity of the teeth is' preservedand pivotal movement of the links is permitted without interference ofthe end teeth of adjacent links.

33. ln a device of the class described, steps having axle bars and linksconnecting the axle bars, the connection between adja cent linksconsisting of a collar on one link Aand a bifurcated sleeve on the otherreceiving the collar, the said sleeve and collar having pivotal movementon the axle bar` and the end tooth of the former link being splitandlocated on the sleeve at opposite sides of the collar, whereby thecontinuity of -the teeth is preserved and pivotal movement the action`of and uniformly7 in the directionl of the conveyer.

36. ln a device of the class described, a conveyer, andan upthrustadapted to cooperate with and be moved uniformly in the direction of theconveyer.

37. In a device of the class described,- an endless upthrust movablerfreely under the action of the co'iiveyej.-

38. In .a device of the class described, an endless uptlirust consistingof a chain having a flatlpontact surface.

39. ln a device of the classdescribed, a se ries of link connecte steps,a driving wheel engaging the links to drive the steps, and an endlessupthrust with which the links are adapted to cooperate under the actionof the wheel, and idlers for the chain. .I

40.- In a device of the class described, the combination with a seriesof-linli connected sections, a wheel' engaging the links to drive thesections, and an upthrust to coun teract the lifting and tilting actionof the driving wlieeland comprising a rigid abuty nient parallelwith'the normal line of movev ment of the links and a friction reducingtraveler Abetween the links and .the abut ment.

41. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a series ef link connected.

the conveyor, a rigid 'abutment over and parallel with the line ofmovement of the' ing and tilting action of the driving Wheel.

and consisting of a freely movable endless chain having the lowerstretch thereof parallel with the direction of movement of the links.

43. In a device df the class described, a series of steps, rack `linksconnecting the steps, a sprocket engaging the links to move the steps,and an upthrust to resist the lifting and tilting action of thesprocket, and consisting of an endless chain having the lower stretchthereof parallel with the directionof movement of the links, and a guidefor such stretch of the chain.

44. In a device of the classvdescribed, a series of link connectedsteps, bosses on the links, a sprocket engaging the links to drive 'thesteps, an endless ii`pthrust chain located above the links and normallyont of engagcment with the bosses, idlers for the chain, and a giiidefor the stretch of the chain adapted to coperate with 'the bosses.

45. In a device of the class described, a conveyor, an endless iipthrusttherefor, and ay tension device for the iipthrust.

46. In a device of .the class described, al conveyer, an iipthrusttherefor consisting of an endless chain,'and a tension device for thechain.

47. In a device of the class described. a series of link-connectedsteps, a. driving sprocket engaging the links, and an npthriistconsisting of an endless chain with which thelinks are adapted tocoperate iinder the action of the sprocket,I idlers by which the chainis carried,'and a spring pressed take-np idler engaging the,cliain.

48. In a device `ofthe class described, a sei-ics ot' link connectedsteps, a sprocket engaging the links, and an liptliriist consisting of achain located over and arallel` with the line ot' movement of the linis, a giilide track for the stretch of the chain adapted to cooperatewith the links, idlers by which the chain is carried, and atensiondevice for the chain.

49. In a device of the class described, a series of link-connectedsteps, a sprocket engaging the links, and 'an u thrust consisting of achain located over and) arallel with the line of movement of the lin s,a. guide track for the stretch of the chain adapted to co operate withthe links, idlers by which the chain is carriedjgand a tension devicefor theA chain consisting of aspring pressed idler.

50. In'a devicof the class described, a

series ot' link-connected steps, a sprocket engaging the links, and aniipthriistconsisting ot' a chain composed of alternating male and femaleshroiids, pivot pins connecting the linlf` rollers on the pins, and aguide track engaged by the rollers on the iinder stretch of the chain.

51. In a device of the class described, a series of link-connectedsteps. a sprocket engaging the links, and an iiptliriist to resist. thelifting and tilting action of the pinion and consisting ot' an endlesschain composed of male and female shroiids, pivot pins connecting thelinks, rollers on the pins, and a guide track for the under stretch ofthe chain, the male shroiids being channel shape in cross-section andembracing the track.

52. A conveyor 'having ascending and de- I'scending riins, a drive forthe coiiveyer, and

an upwardly pressed idler engaging both runs to coiintcibalancc the dragor load of the conveyor below the saine.

53. In a device of the class described, n

convevcr having inclined riins. a drive t'or the convcvcr, and a springpressed idler engaging both rims on the incline.

5- A convcjver having ascending and desccnding rims, a. drive 'for theconveyor, and a spring controlled idler engaging both runs, tlifctension oit' the respond to the load on the idlcrs and being adapted tovield to strains greater than snch load diie to inequalities ot' motion.

In a device of the class described, a crtfnvevcr having inclined ri'lns.a drive engtiging both rims. an idler engaging both rll'iis between thedrivc and the end ofthe inclino. and a spring tor pressing the idler npthc incline so that the weight of' the conh vcvcr hclow thc sanic willhang` thereon.

56. In aA device ot the class described, a way having an inclined andhorizontal runs,

5ing being` set to corand a series of steps having hearings travel ingon the way and cach step being partially supported by an adjacent stepon the horizontal rims.

57. In a device oi' the class described, a way having an inclined andhoriisontal rims, a series c i steps'cach having 'front and reai carriing-wheels at each cnil. and the wheels of cach step tra vcling` on thcwav on the inclined riin and one whccl on lcach cnd of each step being`carried b v a wheel of an adjacent step on .the horizontal riins.

538. Ii. a device of thi class describeil., a donveycr consisting o't.in cndless series of linl -connectedsteps providing ascending anddescending inclined rims. drive sprockets engagingthe links ot' bolliruns on the. incline, idler sprocketsI located at the incline and`engaging the linkscn hoth runs, and springs tor moving the idlcrsl inopposition to the hang ol thi` ft-.ps down' the incline.

59. In a device :.i thc 'class ,dcscribed, a

convener consisting of .ein endless series of' linlnconnected stepsproviding asoending 'and descending inclined runs, a' drive shaftlocated neer the upper end of the incline 5 having sprcekets engngingthe links of both runs, :in idler located 4.between the drive slnilt andthe bottoni of the incline and enf singing the links of both runs, aslidiiigloearing for the idler, und en' adjustable spring reacting'against: the `hearing; to hold the idlerin engage'inentwith the linlcteeth in t opposition to the hang of. the steps.

- 60,1n s, .device of the class described,

yWays, s. moving; Steinway consisting 'o'lg wheeled stepstreveling on.the ways and providing ascending and descending in- @lined runs,rnckdinks connecting the steps 'at each end thereof, a drive shafthaving' sprockets engaging the links of both runs ,y 2.0 si: enchend ofthe steps, s. shaft located hetween the drivesh'sft and one end of theincline and having idler sproeletsengs'ging the links: of both runs,springs for iiioving the' idlers in opposition to the weight of the.steps hanging thereon, suchv springs being set et e tensioncorresponding to the load on t-lie'idler sprockets, and means to varythe "tension of the springs.

6l; In n ,device of the class described, e Way, s, `snoring stairwayconsistingrl of wheeled steps irsveling oiithe Way, nnd providingascending and descending inclined runs, rack links et the sides of thestairway connecting the steps, a'drive shaft adjacent Athe upper end ofAthe incl-ine' :ind having sprooliets'engaging the links of both runs, ecross shaft between the drive shaft sind. the bottoni si the inclineand' having idlers eiigsiii'iiiig the links vof both rims, slidingmesses blocks in which the said shaft is mounted,

Fears rigid with the frame having openings,

ymateriel folded into n pliirnlit)y of plies` :ind having its edgesteiiiiinzitiiig :it the sziinecross-seetionzil end of the ruil, :ind aiseparate weer strip crossing both of suoli ends. I

- G3. .fi hand-rail substantially Cslnipe in cross-section andvonsisting of a single strip of nizitei'inl folded brick :ind forth toprovide :i plurality ot plies having the folds at `'the cross-sectionalends of the rail, llie edges of the strip terminating at one of suchends, n' separate weer strip covering the interior o the iziil und alsothe siiid ends, :ind

`:i coating for the iiiil.

G4. A lnind-riiil substantially C-slizipe in eross-seetioii landconsisting' of a strip of iiinterinl folded hunk and toi-th to provideai plurality` of plies :ind having the folds :it

one of the Cross-sectional ends between the edges oi the strip.: nseparate wear-strip vcoi'eiiiip: liotli ofsueliends und the interior oft'lie iiiil,'and :i body, such as riiblieiycon` rnec-ting the strips. l

ln testimony whereof l :Ulis my signature in presence of two Witnesses.Cl-IAHLESD. SEEBERGER.

ll'itnesses G. ll.` C. lViLLimfs 7 ...TniiN (l, Hiiommx.

